Peach tree named &#39;nj352&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct peach variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘NJ352’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of nonshowy flowers, fruit that ripen in latter part of mid-season, attractive fruit with a yellow-orange ground color, freestone fruit with a juicy, melting texture and moderately acidic flavor, and good production of firm fruit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus persica L.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

NJ352

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peachtree named ‘NJ352’. Our new tree resulted from crossing ‘D90-9’ as theseed parent with ‘NJ318’ peach tree, as the pollen parent. The newvariety differs from seed parent ‘D90-9’ (unpatented) in that the newvariety has small, nonshowy flowers and fruit that ripen in the latterpart of mid-season, while the seed parent has large, showy flowers andfruit that do not ripen during a typical growing season. The new varietydiffers from pollen parent ‘NJ318’ (unpatented) in that the new varietyhas fruit with yellow-orange flesh and moderate acidity, while thepollen parent has fruit with white flesh and low acidity. The resultingtree was selected when growing in a cultivated area as the 162^(nd) treein the 101^(st) row of Block D at the Rutgers Fruit Research andExtension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJ352’ variety is distinguished from other peach varieties due tothe following unique combination of characteristics:

-   Attractive round fruit with a slightly depressed apex point.-   Fruit with an attractive yellow-orange ground color.-   Good production of firm fruit.-   Fruit has better than average eating quality.

The variety was asexually reproduced at the Rutgers Fruit Research andExtension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this newvariety by budding onto >Lovell=rootstock (unpatented) shows that theforegoing characteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJ352’.The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in acultivated area at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center inCream Ridge, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such asgrowth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions(such as, light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability) or otherfactors. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordancewith their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to TheRoyal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawings, depicting the peach tree by the best possible colorrepresentation using color photography. Colors are approximate as colordepends on horticultural practices, such as light level, fertilizationrate, and other conditions and, therefore, the color characteristics ofthis new variety should be determined with reference to the observationsdescribed herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 29, 2005 of a characteristictwig of ‘NJ352’ in late summer bearing typical leaves of the maturefoliage.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of mature fruit of ‘NJ352’ and stonesharvested from the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center in CreamRidge, N.J. on Aug. 25, 2004. Whole fruit are presented in two positionsand a transverse cross section to show that the pericarp does not adhereto the pit when the fruit is mature. The stones illustrate the obovoidshape and the pit grooves on the surface of the stone.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustratesthe typical flower buds and small, nonshowy flowers of ‘NJ352’ observedon a tree at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center in CreamRidge, N.J. on Apr. 21, 2004.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a tree of ‘NJ352’ in early fall thatillustrates the spreading growth habit of a tree at the Rutgers FruitResearch and Extension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Oct. 27, 2005.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Oct. 27, 2005 of immature bark of‘NJ352’ that illustrates color and the moderate density of grey-whitebordered, elliptical lenticels on the immature bark.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Oct. 27, 2005 of mature bark of‘NJ352’ that illustrates the fairly smooth texture and inconspicuouslenticels of the mature bark.

The colors of and illustration of this type may vary with lighting andother conditions under which conditions and, therefore, colorcharacteristics of this new variety should be determined with referenceto the observations described herein, rather than from theseillustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJ352’ variety is based onobservations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was sixyears of age and growing on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) inResearch Block C at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center inCream Ridge, N.J. Scientific Name: Prunus persica L. Parentage: Seedparent: D90-9. Pollen parent: NJ318. Tree: Vigor: Vigorous. Planthardiness zone: Growth of plants has only been observed in zone 6b.Dormant flower bud At least to −15° C. cold tolerance: Overall shape:Spreading. Height: Average as compared to other peach cultivars. Forexample, measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Lovell’ seedlingrootstock (un- patented) at six years after planting shows an averageheight of 4.3 meters when grown in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Width:Average as compared to other peach cultivars. For example, measurementof a typical grafted tree on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) atsix years after planting shows an average width of 5.2 meters when grownin Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Caliper: Six year old tree is 48 cm incircumference measured at 20 cm from the ground. Trunk and branches:Trunk bark texture: Fairly smooth with inconspicuous lenticels becomingrough as the tree ages. Trunk bark color: Greyed-white (RHS 156c).Primary branches: Branches that are approximately 15 cm in circumferenceare greyed-orange (RHS 177a) in color, overlaid with greyed-white (RHS156c). Lenticels: Moderate density, approximately 2 per square cm;elliptical shape; typical examples of which measured 6 mm in length and2.5 mm in width; greyed-orange (RHS 167b) in color and bordered withgreyed-white (RHS 156d). Branch pubescence: None. New growth bark: Colorgreyed-purple (between RHS 183a and RHS 183b) in sun; color yellow-green(between RHS 152b and RHS 152d) in shade. Internodes: Length averaging29.2 mm on a one-year shoot. Leaves: Texture: Glabrous. Sheen: Youngleaves semi-glossy with a flat finish on the underside. Length: About167 mm to 190 mm, averaging about 174 mm including the petiole. Width:About 34 mm to 46 mm, averaging about 39 mm. Petiole: Averaging 10.6 mmlong and about 1.5 mm in diameter. Margin: Serrulate. Margin undulation:Slight. Form: Elliptic. Apex: Acuminate, curved downward. Base: Cuneate.Venation: Pinnate. Glands: Number: About 2 to 6, averaging about 3.3.Position: Located primarily on the leaf margin. Size: Length averaging1.1 mm and width averaging 0.9 mm. Form: Reniform. Stipules: Noneobserved on mature leaves. Leaf Color: Upper leaf surface: Yellow-green(RHS 146a). Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (between RHS 147b and RHS147c). Vein: Greyed-yellow (between RHS 160b and RHS 160c). Pubescence:None. Flowers: Size: Small size, typical flower measuring between 12.4mm to 17.8 mm, averaging about 15.5 mm across. Color: Dormant bud: Grey(between RHS 201a and RHS 201d). Pink stage bud: Red (between RHS 54band RHS 62c). Open flower: Young open flowers red (between RHS 55b andRHS 55c), with red venation (between RHS 55a and RHS 55b) at petal fall.Petals: Typically five petals per flower; cupped and obovate in shape;averaging about 11.0 mm long and 7.9 mm wide. Red (between RHS 55b andRHS 55c) in color. Petal apex: Obtuse. Petal base: Cuneate. Stamens:Number: Variable, typical range 36 and 40, averaging 38. Length:Variable, between 9.4 mm to 11.3 mm, averaging 10.5 mm. Filament color:Green-white (RHS 157c). Anther color: Red (RHS 53a). Pistil: Number:One. Size: Length between 15.8 and 17.1 mm, averaging about 16.5 mm.Pistil color: Greyed-yellow (RHS 160a). Ovary: Dense pubescence andellipsoid in shape. Sepals: Number: Five. Pubescence: Short and lightdensity. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 152b) with a greyed-red (RHS 182b)over color. Shape: Triangular, with a rounded apex. Size: Lengthaveraging 4.3 mm, width averaging 3.5 mm. Nectar cup color:Greyed-orange (between RHS 167a and RHS 168b). Pollen: Abundant; yellow(RHS 11a) in color. Fragrance: Very slight. Bloom season: Onset of bloomin 2004 on April 16; full bloom on April 18. Fruit: Size: Large,averaging about 7.3 cm long, 7.1 cm wide parallel to the suture and 7.3cm wide perpendicular to the suture. Typical weight: 210 g. Form:Longitudinal section: Round. Traverse section: Nearly round, one side ofsuture may tend to be slightly lipped is some years. Suture: Veryshallow, extending from the base to apex. Ventral surface: Typicallysmooth, slightly lipped in some years. Base: Round. Apex: Round, apexpoint may be slightly depressed. Stem: Average length of 7.1 mm and anaverage diameter of 5.9 mm. Skin: Thickness: Average. Surface: Regularwith short pubescence. Tenacity: Average. Astringency: None. Tendency tocrack: Low. Color: Mottled greyed-red (RHS 181a) over an orange-red (RHS24b) blush; ground color yellow-orange (RHS 16a). Fruit Properties:Flesh color: Yellow-orange (RHS 16b). Flesh adhesion: Freestone. Juice:Moderate. Texture: Firm, but melting. Fibers: Not noticeable. Ripens:Between August 13 and August 29 at Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Flavor:Average to above average, moderately acidic. Soluble solids: 10.4%.Aroma: Very slight. Eating quality: Good. Keeping quality: Average. Hasheld its flavor and firmness for at least 7 days in cold storage at 1°C. to 4° C. Shipping quality: Very good. Fruit are generally very firmat harvest. No bruising or scaring disorders have been observed. Usage:Dessert. Market: Local and long distance. Productivity: Good. Trees haveproduced a crop in 5 out of 7 years and a full crop in 5 out of 7 yearsat Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Stone: Type: Freestone. Form: Obovoid. Base:Narrow. Apex: Narrow. Surface: Pit grooves. Ventral suture: Small tomedium, truncated at the apex. Dorsal ridge: Low, narrow, and finelines. External color: Greyed-orange (between RHS 174a and RHS 174b)overlaid with greyed-purple (RHS 183c). Internal color whenGreyed-orange (between RHS 165c and RHS cracked: 165d). Cavity surfacecolor: Greyed-orange (RHS 165c). Average stone dry 5.2 g. weight:Average stone wall Varies between 3.9 and 9.5 mm. thickness: Size:Averages about 35 mm long, 24 mm wide parallel to the dorsal ridge, and17 mm wide perpendicular to the dorsal ridge. Tendency to split: Low.Kernel: Form: Ovate. Skin color: Greyed-orange (RHS 164a). Vein color:Greyed-orange (between RHS 165a and RHS 165b). Viability: Yes. Size:Averages about 21 mm long, 12.6 mm wide, and 5.4 mm in breadth.

-   Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as herein shown and described. 